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R. F. SHURTZ March 3, 1964 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GROUND MATERIALS Filed June 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I ,/\'9Q FIG I 7 T IIIJIIJII.

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VALVE V-I2 VALVE V-4 1'0 VALVES VI4 AND V IZ ACT TO OPEN h VALVE V-9 ACTS TO OPEN I: VALVE V-IO ACTS TO CLOSE I": VALVE V-7 ACTS TO OPEN SLURRY VALVE 1'4 VALVE V-I3 ACTS TO CLOSE Is VALVE V-7 AND V-I3 DEACT TO CLOSE SLIJRRY VALVE AND OPEN RESPECTIVELY I'e' VALVE V-I4 -DEACTS TO CLOSE f1 VALVE V-I2 DEACTS TO CLOSE VAD/E V- I2 f3 VALVE V- 4 Q l I FIG 4 INVENTOR.

ROBERT F. SHURTZ BY ATTORNEYS March 3, 1964 R. F. SHURTZ 3,123,407

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GROUND MATERIALS Filed June 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 dry wet h V-l line R-l strainer D x Q L. 24 f v-s exhaust p 26 deiuy off from air I tank l6 pug 2| to injector V-l5 exh eih delay on slurry valve en slurry valve cose 5 \HO 5 demon FIG 2 V-9 delay on i-P q j uppe w V-ll orifice deluyoff to hozzle 2 from pump l7 123 V-l3 delay off F delay actuate I lower blow L plug INVENTOR. i i-air bleed V-l5 oufler BY ROBERT E SHURTZ J air bleed V-IO outlet Obeflm. makg a/ Donnelly ebair bleed V-|3 ,ouflef ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,123,407 METHOD OF PARAT'US FOR FEEDWG GROUND MATERIALS a Robert F. Shurtz, Pepper Pike, Ohio, assignor to Basic Incorporated, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 1,1961, st. No. 114,223 8 Claims. (ill. 302-53) The present invention relating, as indicated, to the feeding of ground material has more particular regard to the operation and construction of apparatus in which air and/or water are used to project solid or suspended or dissolved materials as a spray or stream from a nozzle.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to control means for rendering such apparatus free from malfunctioning where the projected materials are such as tend to form obstructions in the pipes and hoses comprised in such apparatus. For example, certain slurries of refractory material suspended in water may contain coarse particles that settle on valves so that when the latter are opened, they may be damaged by abrasion; also, such settled particles, not having the proper amount of suspending slurry, may obstruct or stop flow through the valve. Similarly it is highly advantageous to provide means for cleaning out such pipes and hoses after the flow 0f the stream therethrough has stopped. This is particularly important where the stream consists of or includes a material which will segregate or harden on standing.

The present improvements are particularly applicable to material feeding apparatus known as refractory guns which are used for projecting refractory materials into open hearth steel furnaces while in operation, so as to permit repairs to be made without losing valuable operating time. While in the past certain controls have been provided, these have involved individual, manual opera tion and, due to the number of functions involved and precise timing required, several operators are required and in many cases in order to simplify operation, certain important functions have been omitted entirely. In any event, coordination in the operation of the several controls has been difiicult and frequently impossible due to bad timing, misunderstanding of signals, confusion on the charging floor, etc. The result has been malfunctioning or" the refractory gun with resultant disruption not only of the furnace repair operation, but of operation of the furnace itself. Also, while it is well known that refractory slurries used in repairing many types of furnace defects should include coarse hard grains of refractory, because of the tendency of a slurry including such grains to ob,- struct pipes and hoses, to settle from suspension, to abrade pipes and valves and to harden in pipes and hoses when settled, recourse has been had to the use of slurries of finely ground refractories which flow more freely, even though less satisfactory as a repair material.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described for the injection of a blast of pressurized air or other gas to disperse settled particles in the system and to properly time the initiation and duration of such blast.

A further object is to permit the application of such blast at different pressures at different points in the system in order to insure smooth continuous flow of the slurry or like material that is being projected.

Still another object is to permit the method of operation to be readily changed so that the material being projected may consist of a premixed slurry, or in another application may consist of dry material which is mixed with water or other liquid in the piping or at the point of discharge of the projected stream.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means and one mode of carrying out the invention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a typical gun comprising a discharge nozzle and means for supplying a ground refractory thereto, such means including the improved control devices which constitute the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of such control devices, the various valves and other parts comprised therein being shown in conventional manner;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the Valve timing where the material supplied to the discharge nozzle or gun is wet, i.e., in the form of a slurry; and

FIG. 4 is a similar diagram showing the valve timing where dry material is used.

The central feature of the apparatus, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, is a container in the form of a hopper 1 designed to contain a supply of the material, e.g., granular dry refractory material, or a slurry of such material, which is to be fed to a suitable nozzle 2 and thence discharged to a point or onto the area where such material is to be applied. The hopper \1 will be desirably provided with an agitator If and will have a conical bottom 1 that is provided with a discharge opening connected with a valve 4 whereby discharge of material from the hopper is controlled. Connected in turn with said valve 4 is a tubular fitting 5 that constitutes an ejector chamber that is continued, preferably in the form of a flexible hose, to nozzle 2, so that when the valve is open, material from hopper 1 may be fed to said nozzle. The hopper will, of course, have an opening to permit introduction of material therein and a closure for such opening whereby it may be sealed so that the contents of the hopper may be subjected to air under pressure supplied through duct 6. The nozzle 2 comprises a jet 2 carried by and projecting into a tubular member 2 which also serves as a handle for manipulating the gun.

No claim is made herein to the specific construction of either the hopper 1, the nozzle 2, or the ejector chamher 5, and for further details of a hopper and nozzle suitable for feeding material in accordance with the present invention, reference may be made to Patent No. 2,615,- 693 to C. A. Matirko, dated October 28, 1952.

Valve 4 is shown in closed position, but may be opened by supplying air under pressure through duct 9 to an ac tuating cylinder 7, air being vented from a companion cylinder 8 through return duct 9 By reverse operation of such cylinders said valve may be restored to closed position. Air under pressure may also be supplied through a duct 10 immediately in advance of valve 4, as Well as immediately following said valve, through another duct 11 to the fitting 5, through which the material is carried to the gun 2.. Still another duct 12 is provided for supplying air under pressure directly to the jet 2 of nozzle 2.

The supply of air or other fluid under pressure through ducts 6, 9, 9 16', 11, 12 and 15 is controlled through an assemblage of valves, etc. housed in a suitable control unit 13, so as to effect operation of the apparatus as a whole in the desired manner, as will be presently described. Operation of said control devices is in turn controlled by means of a manually operable valve 14 conveniently at tached to or associated with nozzle 2 and connected by duct 15 with said control unit 13.

Such control unit, illustrated more in detail in FIG. 2, in addition to having connections with the ducts just re- 2a? ferred to, is also connected with duct s whereby air under pressure may be supplied to hopper i, as well as with a tank 16, or other source of air or gas pressure, and a pump 17, whereby water or equivalent liquid may be supplied to the apparatus in a manner and for the purpose presently to be set forth.

In wet shooting, th hopper or container it is filled with a slurry of ground material (e.g., refractory material suitable for furnaces repair) suspended in water or other suitable suspending agent, such slurry being held in suspension by the agitator 1 and such hopper being pressurized with air or other gas from supply 16. Upon opening valve 4, such slurry will pass through the system to nozzle 2 where additional air is added through jet 2 to provide greater velocity in the stream passing therethrough.

Through the control devices housed in control unit 13 a flow of air is provided at the nozzle a short time in advance of the opening of valve also a iiow of through the fitting 5 in advance of the opening of said valve. Such flows of air assure that the shooting system is clear of obstructions in advance of the flow of slurry, thus reducing the probability of plugging. The flow of air to fitting 5 is stopped a short time after slurry flow has started, thus increasing the rate of slurry flow.

A blast of air is also provided through duct 1% at a point immediately above valve 4} just previous to the opening thereof in order to disperse any accumulation of granular material that may settle there. This greatly reduces the probability of plugging at the beginning of the how of slurry when most of the plugging otherwise occurs. This last mentioned air blast is turned oil as the valve 4 is opened.

When the flow of slurry is to be stopped, pressure is applied to cylinder 5 and cylinder 7 is vented so as to close valve 4; then after a short delay cylinder 8 is also vented leaving the valve free to be turned manually for cleaning and inspecting the nozzle or other parts of the shooting system. Also immediately upon closing the valve, air under pressure is again supplied to fitting 5 so as to blow the piping system clean in connection with the next cycle of operation for the slurry ilow. Finally, the supply of air to said fitting as well as to the nozzle is discontinued, completing the operation and leaving the entire system in readiness for the next cycle of operation.

'In dry shooting, hopper or container 1 is filled with granular dry refractory material. In this case, the control system applies air at injection chamber or fitting 5 at a pressure about pounds per square inch greater than that prevailing in the hopper. This pressure differential has been found to result in smooth rapid flow of dry refractory through the shooting system. Air is applied at fitting 5 for a short time before the control opens valve 4 and the flow of air is maintained until a short time after said valve closes in order to clear the shooting system.

In dry shooting water is supplied at jet 2 instead of air, as in the case of wet shooting. This water forms a slurry with the dry refractory or granular material while passing through nozzle 2. Such flow of water to the nozzle commences a short time before valve 4 opens a mitting refractory to the shooting system and ceases a short time after said valve closes.

The application of air through duct ll? is timed in the same manner in dry shooting as in wet shooting already described. Also the action of valve 4 is identical with that used in wet shooting. in this case also the starting and stopping of the shooting cycle is controlled by closing and opening valve 14.

The control unit 13 also provides means to regulate the air pressure in the hopper or container l and at fitting 5 so as to regulate the rate at which refractory is delivered by the gun.

The assemblage of control devices comprised in unit 13 will now be more particularly described with the aid of FIG. 2. As there diagrammatically shown, the unit is provided with inlet connections from tank 16 and pump 17 for supplying air and water, respectively, at sufiicient pressure, usually about pounds per square inch. An outlet 22 is provided through valve V40 whereby said outlet may be connected with duct it which leads to the outlet of hopper l in advance of valve 4 that controls such outlet. Two other outlets 2% and 21 are provided through valves V4.5 and Vll3, whereby said outlets may be alternatively connected with duct ll, which leads to fitting 5. Another outlet 23 is provided through valve V-lZ, whereby it may be connected with duct 12, which leads to jet 2 Still another outlet 24 is provided through valve V45, whereby it may be connected with duct 6, whereby air under pressure may be supplied to hopper it. Finally, an outlet 25 is provided through valve V7 to ducts 9 and 9 whereby cylinders '7 and 8 may be actuated.

The air pressure regulating system is comprised of regulators R1 and R-Z. Regulator R4 is adjusted to provide the desired pressure on the hopper l, which is indicated by gauge 26. In the case of wet shooting, valve Vl is in the position shown, so that no air pressure is applied to valve V2, thus leaving it also in the position shown, In this case, the pressure from regulator R-ll is applied to the hopper Zl. Pressure from regulator R-It is applied also to the top of the diaphragm of regulator R2 and the setting of regulator R-Z is adjusted to produce an output pressure 20 pounds per square inch less than that of regulator R-l. When, in Wet shooting, the higher pressure from regulator R4 is transmitted to the output side of regulator R2, the latter remains closed.

The sequence of actions of the control devices during wet shooting, e.g when operating with a slurry, will be first described. Closure of valve V5 by the operator activates valve V-d by building up air pressure on its operating device. Activation of valve V6 transmits air pressure to elfect actuation of valves V-7 and V-d; V-9 and Vlltl; Vl2; and V-l3 and V-ll. Valve V-B acts immediately, applying pressure through valve V-7 to cylinder 3, thereby holding valve 4, which controls the discharge of material from hopper l, in closed position, which is its normal position when starting operation of the system. Valve V-lld also acts immediately, applying pressurized air through valve V4.3 to fitting 5, thus clearing the shooting system which lies therebeyond. Also, valve Vl2 acts immediately to apply pressurized air at jet 23. Valve V acts next, applying a blast of pressurized air through duct lti. Immediately thereafter, valves V-7, V-ltl and V-lf) act. Valve V7 thereupon applies pressure to cylinder 7, opening slurry control valve 4-; valve Vltl terminates the blast of pressurized air to duct 19; and valve V-lS terminates the blast of air to fitting 5. If desired, valve V-l3 may be set to act still later, so that the first slurry passing through the system is aerated.

When the operator stops wet shooting by opening valve V5, valve V-t3 de-activates, exhausting the pressure that was applied during shooting to effect operation of valves V7, V-8, V-9, V49, V42, V-13 and V-Ild. Valve V7 de-activates immediately, exhausting cylinder 7 and pressurizing cylinder 8, so as to close valve 4- and stop the flow of slurry from hopper l. Shortly thereafter, valve V de-activates, exhausting cylinder 7 so as to leave said valve 4- closed but free to be manually operated if desired. Valves V9 and Vltl de-activate immediately, the opening of valve V-lll being nullified by the closing of valve V-9, so that no function except preparation for the next cycle of operation is performed. Valve V42 closes later so as to allow air to blow through jet 2 of the nozzle 2, while the residual slurry is being blown out of the shooting system. Valve V-lS de-activates immediately, applying air to fitting 5 to blow out the residual slurry. After the time necessary to do this, valve V-ll4 de-activates, completing the cycle.

Conversion from wet shooting to dry shooting, so far as the action of the control devices is concerned, is accomplished by manual operation of valve V-l. This action switches the pressure distribution of air flowing to the tank 1 and fitting 5 in a manner to be described. It also activates valve V-4, causing the control activating pressure to be applied to valve V- instead of to valves V-13 and V-14. By so doing, air is applied to fitting 5 continuously during shooting so as to impel the dry refractory through the system, rather than in brief bursts at the beginning and ending of shooting, solely to clear the system, as is the case in wet shooting. Activation of valve V-ll also transmits air pressure to activate valve V-ll, so that water instead of air will be applied through valve V-12 at jet 2 of nozzle 2.

The case of dry shooting will not be described in detail, as it will be made plain by considering the differences between it and that of wet shooting. In dry shooting, as previously indicated, water is applied to jet 2 of the nozzle 2 in place of pressurized air. This is accomplished by activating valve V-ll through manual operation of valve V4. The action and timing of valve V-lZ are the same in both cases.

Valves V-13 and V-14 are isolated during dry shooting, and valve V-15 is placed in control of the air flow to fitting 5 by the action of valve V-4, as already described. Valve V-15 applies air at a pre-selected regulated pressure, about pounds per square inch higher than the hopper pressure, to said fitting 5 continuously from a prcselected time before the commencement of the flow of refractory until a pre-selected time after cessation of said flow.

During dry shooting, when valve V-2 is activated by pressure transmitted through valve V-ll, the higher pressure from regulator R1 is applied to the fitting 5, while regulator R-Z transmits air to the hopper 1 at-the lower pressure. This diiferential pressure at these points has been found to produce smooth, uniform, rapid flow of dry granular refractory through the shooting system.

The sequence of operations in wet shooting, i.e., where hopper or container 1 is charged with a slurry, may be conveniently traced by reference to FIG. 3, where successive times are indicated by the letter I with numeral suffixes. Similarly the sequence of operations in dry shooting, i.e., where such container is charged with dry material and water is added subsequently, may be traced by reference to FIG. 4, bearing corresponding notations.

It has been deemed unnecessary to describe the detail construction of the several valves, regulators, etc., that are comprised in the control assemblage, but merely to indicate on FIG. 2 by suitable legends the functions performed by said devices, all of which individually may be of conventional form and therefore readily available.

While in the foregoing description of my improved method of and apparatus for feeding materials, more particular reference has been made to the feeding of ground refractory materials either in dry form, or admixed with water to form a slurry, and still more particularly to the projection of such a material onto a furnace Wall, no limitation is intended to any such specific application either as to the material or use made thereof. Thus, said improvements will also find use in applying Portland cement-aggregate slurries, as in Guniting operations, in the control of the flow of agricultural sprays, the flow of dry solids, such as sand and abrasive shot used for cleaning metal surfaces, and building exteriors. The term air, as used in the foregoing description and following claims, will be understood to connote any suitable gas which under compression will have the indicated operative effect. Similarly, instead of water, any other suitable liquid medium may be used as a carrier for the ground material to form the so-called slurry. Indeed, my improved method and apparatus may be utilized in spraying a solid that is in solution in the water or liquid vehicle as in spray drying processes where the ducts, passages and valves in the apparatus tend to become 6 clogged by the resolidification of the material dissolved in the vehicle.

It will be seen that as a result of the described control devices in association with the shooting system, the difficulties encountered in the operation of such system are substantially all eliminated. Thus, local accumulation of settled particles can be dispersed; the gun as well as other portions of the system will be cleaned out automatically when shooting is interrupted; air may be applied at various pressures as desired; and air streams and water streams may be interchanged as needed for dilferent types of operation by turning a single valve. Accordingly, the number of men required to operate the gun may be reduced; reliability of functioning will be increased, so that lost time in making a furnace repair is decreased; and finally the refractories used may be selected to provide the kind of repair required, instead of being limited to types that can be projected through the system as heretofore constructed.

- Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead or" the one explained, change being made as regards the means and the steps herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of the following claims or their equivalent beiemployed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for pressure-projecting bulk material including a pressurized container for such material, a nozzle for discharging the material, and a duct connecting the container and nozzle and containing a fluid-actuated valve, the improvements comprising: a multivalve control unit, fluid-conducting lines connecting said unit to said duct both upstream and downstream of the valve, a fluid-conducting line connecting the unit to the fluid-actuated valve to operate the latter, and a further fluid-conducting line connecting said unit to the nozzle, and responsive means effective to operate the multi-valve control unit to pass fluid under pressure in said lines and selectively sweep clear the valve, duct, and nozzle at predetermined intervals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said responsive means effective to operate the control unit further includes actuating means stationed adjacent said nozzle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said further fluidconducting line to the nozzle is also adapted selectively to supply liquid therethrough from the multi-valve control unit.

4. In apparatus for pressure-projecting bulk material including a pressurized container for such material, a nozzle for discharging the material, and a duct connecting the container and nozzle and containing a fluid-actuated valve, the improvements comprising: a multi-valve control unit, fluid-conducting lines connecting said unit to said duct both upstream and downstream of the valve, a fluid-conducting line connecting the unit to the fluid-actuated valve to operate the latter, and a further fluid-conducting line connecting said unit to the nozzle, and responsive means effective to operate the multi-valve control unit to:

(a) Admit a fluid under pressure to said line connecting the unit to said duct downstream of the valve and also to said line connecting the unit to the nozzle,

(b) Admit additional fluid under pressure to said line connecting the unit to the duct upstream of the valve and then to admit fluid to 'said line actuating the valve,

(0) Interrupt the flow of pressurized fluid to said lines upstream and downstream of the valve,

(d) Admit fluid under pressure to said line connecting the unit to the valve to close the latter,

(2) Admit additional fluid under pressure to the line connecting the unit to the duct downstream of the valve, and

(f) Then to interrupt said fluid admission to the lines connecting the unit to the nozzle andto the duct downstream of the valve, whereby movement of said bulk material is delayed until the duct, valve, and nozzle are first swept, and upon completion of the discharge of said bulk material, said duct, valve, and nozzle are again swept clear in each instance to remove any material retained within such equipment.

5. in a method of pressure-projecting bulk material from a pressurized container through an external valvecontaining duct having downstream of the valve an ejection chamber leading to a discharge nozzle, the steps of:

(a) Admitting a fluid under pressure to each of said ejection chamber and discharge nozzle from a point disposed laterally thereof while the valve is closed,

(b) Admitting additional fluid under pressure to said duct from a point disposed laterally thereof and upstream of said valve and then opening said valve,

() Interrupting the flow of the pressurized fluid to said duct upstream of the valve and also to said ejection chamber,

(d) Closing said valve after a desired quantity of said bulk material has been delivered from the nozzle,

(e) Admitting additional fluid under pressure to said ejection chamber, and

(f) Then interrupting said fluid admission to said nozzle and ejection chamber, whereby movement of said bulk material is delayed until the duct, valve, and nozzle are first swept, and upon completion of the discharge of said bulk material, said duct, valve, and nozzle are again swept clear in each instance to remove any material retained Within such equipment.

6. In a method of pressure-projecting bulk material from a pressurized container through an external valvecontaining duct having downstream of the valve a dis charge nozzle, the steps of:

(a) Admitting a fluid under pressure to said duct just as downstream of the valve and also to said discharge nozzle from a point in each instance disposed laterally thereof and while the valve is closed,

(b) Admitting additional fluid under pressure to said duct from a point disposed laterally thereof and up stream of said valve and then opening said valve,

(0) Interrupting the flow of pressurized fluid to said duct at said points upstream and downstream of the valve,

(d) Closing said valve after a desired quantity of said bulk material has been delivered from the nozzle,

(e) Admitting additional fluid under pressure to said point just downstream of the valve, and

(f) Then interrupting said fluid admission to said nozzle and said point just downstream of the valve,

whereby movement of said bulk material is delayed until the duct, valve, and nozzle are first swept, and upon completion of the discharge of said bulk material, said duct, valve, and nozzle are again swept clear in each instance to remove any material retained within such equipment.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said fluid admitted under pressure to said discharge nozzle from a point disposed laterally thereof is air.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said fluid admitted under pressure to said discharge nozzle from a point disposed laterally thereof is Water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,887 Flanagan Mar. 28, 1916 2,032,367 Kennedy Mar. 3, 1936 2,255,438 Robinson Sept. 9, 1941 2,615,693 Matirko Get. 28, 1952 2,895,768 Bray July 21, 1959 2,903,301 Pfening Sept. 8, 1959 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR PRESSURE-PROJECTING BULK MATERIAL INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER FOR SUCH MATERIAL, A NOZZLE FOR DISCHARGING THE MATERIAL, AND A DUCT CONNECTING THE CONTAINER AND NOZZLE AND CONTAINING A FLUID-ACTUATED VALVE, THE IMPROVEMENTS COMPRISING: A MULTIVALVE CONTROL UNIT, FLUID-CONDUCTING LINES CONNECTING SAID UNIT TO SAID DUCT BOTH UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE VALVE, A FLUID-CONDUCTING LINE CONNECTING THE UNIT TO THE FLUID-ACTUATED VALVE TO OPERATE THE LATTER, AND A FURTHER FLUID-CONDUCTING LINE CONNECTING SAID UNIT TO THE NOZZLE, AND RESPONSIVE MEANS EFFECTIVE TO OPERATE THE MULTI-VALVE CONTROL UNIT TO PASS FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IN SAID LINES AND SELECTIVELY SWEEP CLEAR THE VALVE, DUCT, AND NOZZLE AT PREDETERMINED INTERVALS. 